Kaplan Bar Review Hangout - July 2015 Exam Forum

[gabewatch]

Wow seriously Kaplan. They've already blocked access to NY MC questions and there is a message that pops up about early access preview (for the next bar prep course I assume). Kaplan sucks.

[robinhoodOO]

Wow seriously Kaplan. They've already blocked access to NY MC questions and there is a message that pops up about early access preview (for the next bar prep course I assume). Kaplan sucks.

Really? WTF

Even Kaplan has forsaken us

[orangecup]

Wow seriously Kaplan. They've already blocked access to NY MC questions and there is a message that pops up about early access preview (for the next bar prep course I assume). Kaplan sucks.

That's absurd.... I was planning to do one last set of MBEs to stay fresh tonight. Let's hope those aren't blocked

[gabewatch]

Ya tech support fixed the issue. . . but still.

[robinhoodOO]

Wow seriously Kaplan. They've already blocked access to NY MC questions and there is a message that pops up about early access preview (for the next bar prep course I assume). Kaplan sucks.

That's absurd.... I was planning to do one last set of MBEs to stay fresh tonight. Let's hope those aren't blocked

Just checked, mine's still open and I'm taking the CBX. I'd contact them

[fadedsunrise]

What is everybody's strategy if they get an essay question that they're pretty much stumped on? I have seen a couple that I look at and think that I'm sure I'd be able to pick the right multiple choice, but I can't identify the rule to save my life. Would you just meander through a made-up rule? do you talk around it? Do you just say "fuck it. I'm sure it has the word 'reasonable' in it"?

I put off working on my essays until way too late and the few essays I got back from Kaplan were brutally graded even when I got the law right. I have a lot of concern about the area--particularly when I don't feel a lot of comfort with the substantive area (e.g., secured, commercial paper).

My plan is to liberally sprinkle "reasonableness" and "fairness" somewhere into my made up rule.

[TommyK]

What is everybody's strategy if they get an essay question that they're pretty much stumped on? I have seen a couple that I look at and think that I'm sure I'd be able to pick the right multiple choice, but I can't identify the rule to save my life. Would you just meander through a made-up rule? do you talk around it? Do you just say "fuck it. I'm sure it has the word 'reasonable' in it"?

I put off working on my essays until way too late and the few essays I got back from Kaplan were brutally graded even when I got the law right. I have a lot of concern about the area--particularly when I don't feel a lot of comfort with the substantive area (e.g., secured, commercial paper).

My plan is to liberally sprinkle "reasonableness" and "fairness" somewhere into my made up rule.

May I recommend the addition of "good faith"?

[redblueyellow]

What is everybody's strategy if they get an essay question that they're pretty much stumped on? I have seen a couple that I look at and think that I'm sure I'd be able to pick the right multiple choice, but I can't identify the rule to save my life. Would you just meander through a made-up rule? do you talk around it? Do you just say "fuck it. I'm sure it has the word 'reasonable' in it"?

I put off working on my essays until way too late and the few essays I got back from Kaplan were brutally graded even when I got the law right. I have a lot of concern about the area--particularly when I don't feel a lot of comfort with the substantive area (e.g., secured, commercial paper).

My plan is to liberally sprinkle "reasonableness" and "fairness" somewhere into my made up rule.

May I recommend the addition of "good faith"?

And if a contracts question, "seasonable," especially if UCC.

[fadedsunrise]

What is everybody's strategy if they get an essay question that they're pretty much stumped on? I have seen a couple that I look at and think that I'm sure I'd be able to pick the right multiple choice, but I can't identify the rule to save my life. Would you just meander through a made-up rule? do you talk around it? Do you just say "fuck it. I'm sure it has the word 'reasonable' in it"?

I put off working on my essays until way too late and the few essays I got back from Kaplan were brutally graded even when I got the law right. I have a lot of concern about the area--particularly when I don't feel a lot of comfort with the substantive area (e.g., secured, commercial paper).

My plan is to liberally sprinkle "reasonableness" and "fairness" somewhere into my made up rule.

May I recommend the addition of "good faith"?

And if a contracts question, "seasonable," especially if UCC.

Too many words @_@. Reasonableness/fairness/good faith covers seasonable, damn it.

[Geaux12]

What is everybody's strategy if they get an essay question that they're pretty much stumped on? I have seen a couple that I look at and think that I'm sure I'd be able to pick the right multiple choice, but I can't identify the rule to save my life. Would you just meander through a made-up rule? do you talk around it? Do you just say "fuck it. I'm sure it has the word 'reasonable' in it"?

I put off working on my essays until way too late and the few essays I got back from Kaplan were brutally graded even when I got the law right. I have a lot of concern about the area--particularly when I don't feel a lot of comfort with the substantive area (e.g., secured, commercial paper).

My plan is to liberally sprinkle "reasonableness" and "fairness" somewhere into my made up rule.

May I recommend the addition of "good faith"?

And if a contracts question, "seasonable," especially if UCC.

Too many words @_@. Reasonableness/fairness/good faith covers seasonable, damn it.

So a pretty basic rule of writing I try to follow is that the word "utilize" is absolutely fucking pretentious and should be avoided at all costs, in favor of "use." I think "seasonable" over "timely" is going on my list.

[robinhoodOO]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

[integralx2]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

No love for Chris Fromm?

[robinhoodOO]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

No love for Chris Fromm?

haha; someone suggested I was Chris Fromm in an earlier post. I actually liked Chris

[integralx2]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

No love for Chris Fromm?

haha; someone suggested I was Chris Fromm in an earlier post. I actually liked Chris

I would only suggest your Chris Fromm if you said at some point "friends...."

[robinhoodOO]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

No love for Chris Fromm?

haha; someone suggested I was Chris Fromm in an earlier post. I actually liked Chris

I would only suggest your Chris Fromm if you said at some point "friends...."

Or: Highlight, circle, underline!!!!!!!!!!!

[TommyK]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

I feel really well prepared for the MBE. I liked Chris Fromm though and most of the MBE lecturers -- especially the con law and K's lecturers.

The state-specific sections were garbage, though. The lectures and bar notes were not in the same order, making it really hard to follow along. They were not engaging teachers and I found no value over listening to them instead of just reading from the books. Also, I don't know how much of the essay grading that I received was to scare me into studying more or if that's gonna' be reflective of how the state bar is gonna' grade. This wouldn't be that big of a deal, but my jurisdiction is only 33% MBE. Essays, by comparison, are 53%.

[robinhoodOO]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

The state-specific sections were garbage, though. The lectures and bar notes were not in the same order, making it really hard to follow along. They were not engaging teachers and I found no value over listening to them instead of just reading from the books. Also, I don't know how much of the essay grading that I received was to scare me into studying more or if that's gonna' be reflective of how the state bar is gonna' grade. This wouldn't be that big of a deal, but my jurisdiction is only 33% MBE. Essays, by comparison, are 53%.

This was my biggest complaint, too. I feel extremely underprepared for the essays, but great about the MBE's. Taking it in CA doesn't make me feel much better

[refinedwarrior]

What is everybody's strategy if they get an essay question that they're pretty much stumped on? I have seen a couple that I look at and think that I'm sure I'd be able to pick the right multiple choice, but I can't identify the rule to save my life. Would you just meander through a made-up rule? do you talk around it? Do you just say "fuck it. I'm sure it has the word 'reasonable' in it"?

I put off working on my essays until way too late and the few essays I got back from Kaplan were brutally graded even when I got the law right. I have a lot of concern about the area--particularly when I don't feel a lot of comfort with the substantive area (e.g., secured, commercial paper).

My plan is to liberally sprinkle "reasonableness" and "fairness" somewhere into my made up rule.

May I recommend the addition of "good faith"?

Hahaha I was just telling someone I plan on all of the above and I'll prob get stumped on a bunch since I put more effort into MBE stuff. I'm taking VA's exam and used Themis. I know this is the Kaplan hangout. Good luck to all!

[fadedsunrise]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

No love for Chris Fromm?

haha; someone suggested I was Chris Fromm in an earlier post. I actually liked Chris

I would only suggest your Chris Fromm if you said at some point "friends...."

Isn't it /my/ friends?

[odoylerulez]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

Yes and no. I feel super prepared for the MBE, but I feel like my essay day is going to be an absolute disaster.

I'm already expecting to be right on the pass/fail border after Day 1.. and I'm going to try to bring it home on Day 2.

[orangecup]

Agree with everyone else. I've been crushing MBEs, so hopefully I can continue that. Kaplan's essay program, OTOH was abysmal. I basically crafted my own syllabus. They really should have offered self-grading rubrics similar to Barbri, because their model answers were hardly helpful for analyzing how well you are doing.

[despina]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

No love for Chris Fromm?

haha; someone suggested I was Chris Fromm in an earlier post. I actually liked Chris

I would only suggest your Chris Fromm if you said at some point "friends...."

Or: Highlight, circle, underline!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm getting all fired up!

[LAW813FL]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

No love for Chris Fromm?

haha; someone suggested I was Chris Fromm in an earlier post. I actually liked Chris

I would only suggest your Chris Fromm if you said at some point "friends...."

Or: Highlight, circle, underline!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm getting all fired up!

*Touches glasses unnecessarily*

[Geaux12]

Alright Kaplan Comrades: Who feels like if they succeed it will not be because of Kaplan, but despite Kaplan?

No love for Chris Fromm?

haha; someone suggested I was Chris Fromm in an earlier post. I actually liked Chris

I would only suggest your Chris Fromm if you said at some point "friends...."

Or: Highlight, circle, underline!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm getting all fired up!

*Touches glasses unnecessarily*

Fromm & that guy from Texas, plus the FL Con Law/Essay Prep guy, are the only actual humans from Kaplan I'd be semi-interested in meeting IRL. Maybe Kermit Roosevelt for the Roosevelt factor.

[TommyK]

Fromm & that guy from Texas, plus the FL Con Law/Essay Prep guy, are the only actual humans from Kaplan I'd be semi-interested in meeting IRL. Maybe Kermit Roosevelt for the Roosevelt factor.

Kermit was awesome. I loved his terrible jokes.

"Supreme court original jurisdiction is party-based. Certain parties start at the Supreme Court. Which parties start at the Supreme Court, you ask? John Roberts dance parties."

But I'm not sure why they had anybody do the lectures aside from Fromm. He's an effective teacher, knows the test better than a full-time law school professor, and it seems way more cost-effective than hiring half a dozen different professors.